The world’s conversation is moving online. Every significant issue that people care about — education, environment, development, health — is debated and shaped on blogs, message boards and social networking sites. This is particularly true of global issues, since online conversations know no borders.

But there is one glaring absence in this new global conversation: China.

China blocks most international blogs, including any using popular blog services such as WordPress or Blogger. China blocks any international URL with the word “blog” in it. China also blocks Twitter, Facebook, and many bulletin board sites. China currently does not block most news or information sites, but social sites are currently off limits.

This means that China is cut off from participating in the global conversation. At the very time when China is working hard to join the global community (all grade schools now teach English, among other things), Chinese have little opportunity to make their voices heard online.

This is a serious problem. Many current global issues pivot on China, including important financial, natural resource and environmental challenges. These issues will only be addressed through global cooperation and agreement. Much of that work is done online. But China isn’t present.

Is there something the global online community could be doing to invite Chinese authorities to change policy and join the conversation? Is this best accomplished at the government to government level, or is there a grassroots strategy? Feel free to comment below.